THE pastor of a church earmarked for demolition to make way for Oldham's Metrolink line has spoken of his shock at the Government's decision to axe the connection.

However, Rev Richard Preston said unless he hears different from transport chiefs and Oldham Council his congregation will move to a new home in October 2005 - leaving a question mark over the future of the building currently occupied by King Street Baptist Church.

Before the Secretary of State for Transport, Alastair Darling, pulled the plug on funding for the project the church was seen as one of the last buffers in bringing a lightweight rail link to Oldham.

Its location is on one of the key sites trams would have passed through in the town centre.

However, late last year a deal was struck between church leaders, the council and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) for a new place of worship to be built on the site of Chaucer Street Day Centre.

The old building would then be demolished, paving the way for the first trams on the streets since 1947.

Rev Preston, who has been at the church for over two years, said: "When I heard Metrolink had been knocked back I have to say I was shocked. But we have heard nothing different from GMPTE or the council so everybody is assuming things are going ahead as planned with the move."

Building work on the new church is expected to begin in autumn this year, as under the old plans the current building was expected to be demolished in September.